Pete’s Gear: Vox AC-100 amplifiers

Vox AC-100 amplifiers

From late spring/early summer 1965 until November 1965, John Entwistle and Pete Townshend switched to using Vox gear on stage, John with two Vox T-60 amplifiers and cabinets, and Pete with two Vox AC-100 Super DeLuxe 100-watt amplifiers and open-backed cabinets with Midax horns. Continuing the practice started with the early Marshall 4x12 stacks, Pete fitted the Union Jack flag on the grillecloth of the amp.

The AC-100, the first 100-watt amplifier, used four EL34 valves and was originally designed for John Lennon and George Harrison of the Beatles, who began using them on stage in mid-1964.

The amps, though rated at 100 watts, were not well suited to the Who’s volume, and reliability — with heads catching on fire — was questionable.

I distinctly remember the occasion when Pete first used his VOX A.C.100 on stage. It literally self-destructed during the second number and real ozone started to smoke from the back. Pete nonchalantly disconnected the head and chucked the smoking missile in the direction of the band room and proceeded to set up his old stack while the rest of the band kept playing. In keeping with tradition, the show must go on!

So, unsatisfied with the sound and reliability (and following their van being stolen on 2 September 1965; after which they leased Vox gear until November, when they unceremoniously dumped it back at the hire company), they returned to Marshall, with the debut of the Marshall 8x12 stacks and 100-watt amplifiers in early November 1965.

In 1967, they would return to using rented Vox equipment for the early U.S. shows, with a later incarnation of the AC-100, the U.S.-manufactured U.S. Thomas Organ (VOX) “Super Beatle” 120w amplifiers and 4x12 (w/two horns) cabinets.

AC-15

Pete’s first use of Vox amps came in 1963, when he joined the Detours, sharing Roger’s Vox AC-15, which he had acquired from Detours rhythm guitarist Roy East, who had drowned whilst on holiday.

AC-30

In 1965, Pete is occasionally seen using Vox AC-30 combo amps, often paired with the Fender Bassman. These may have been borrowed/hired, such as for television performances.

Selected quotes

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Guitar Player, November 1975, interview with John Entwistle

When we first started calling ourselves the Who I used a Marshall 50 watt amp with a 4-12 cabinet. I had the first 4-12 cabinet that Marshall made. We more or less forced them to make 100 watt amps by changing to Vox, who already had one out.

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